PoliticsJuly 16, 2026

deindustrialisation

/diːɪndʌstriəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

Definition

The long-term, structural decline of a country's manufacturing sector and industrial base, leading to persistent economic and social challenges.

Etymology

The word is formed by adding the prefix 'de-' (reversal or removal) to the verb 'industrialise', which is derived from the Latin 'industria' (diligence or activity). It became a common term in the late 20th century to describe the shift away from manufacturing economies.

In the news

In this article, the term describes the deep-seated, historical economic damage that continues to weigh on the UK's current political and fiscal stability. It highlights that the incoming Prime Minister inherits structural problems that are rooted in decades of lost industrial capacity.

What can Andy Burnham actually do? | LSE British Politics

Read the full article ↗

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